Naiad — CHAPTER IV. The Naiad-Part One

I had hardly imparted this hope of success, when I was terrified at having entertained it myself, but I could not now withdraw.

My beautiful client overwhelmed me with questions.

“Well, madame,” said I, “the means must be found of making the oracle speak, without my acting the part of an imposter; but you must furnish me with certain details which I lack, concerning the apparition, whose theatre of action as they affirm is this castle.

” “Will you look over the old papers from which I made my extracts?

” cried she joyfully.

“I have them here.

” She opened a piece of furniture of which she had the key, and showed me quite a long account, with commentaries written at different epochs by different chroniclers attached to the chapel of the castle, or to the chapter of a neighboring convent that had been secularized under the last reign.

As I was in no hurry to undertake an engagement which would have abridged the time accorded to my mission I put off reading this fantastical bundle of papers until evening, and allowed myself to be chastely cajoled by my enchantress.

It seemed to me that she was exercising a delicate coquetry, whether it was that she clung to her ideas to the extent of compromising herself a little in order to triumph eventually, whether my resistance excited her legitimate pride of an irresistible woman, or whether, in fine, and I dwelt with delight on this last supposition, she was animated by a particular regard for me.

She was forced to leave me, other visitors were arriving.

There was company at dinner; she presented me to her noble neighbors with marked distinction, and showed me more consideration before them, than I had perhaps any right to expect.

Some appeared to think that I was receiving more than my position entitled me to, and tried to make her so understand it.

She proved that she feared no criticism, and showed so much courage in sustaining me that I began to lose my head.

When we were alone together, Madame d’Ionis asked me what I intended doing with the manuscripts relative to the apparition of the three green ladies?

I was over excited, it seemed as if she really loved me and that I had now no occasion to fear her raillery.

I then recounted ingenuously, the vision I had seen, and the one similar to it, that the abbé Lamyre had related to me.

“So I am forced to believe,” I added, “that conditions of the soul exist in which, equally without fear, charlatanism or supposition, certain ideas assume images which deceive our senses, and I wish to study these phenomena, that I have already witnessed, under the simple or sage conditions which have produced them.

I do not conceal from you, that contrary to my habits of mind, far from guarding myself from the charm of these illusions, I will do everything in my power to yield my intellect up to them.

And should I in this poetical disposition of mind, succeed in seeing or hearing some ghost who commands me to obey you, I will not draw back from the oath that M. d’Ionis or his mother may require.

No one can force me to swear that I believe in the revelations of spirits or in apparitions of the dead, for perhaps I may not put absolute faith in them, but in asserting that I have heard voices, since even now I can affirm that I have seen shadows, I will not be a liar, and should I be taken for a fool, what do I care as long as you do me the honor of not sharing this opinion?

” Madame d’Ionis exhibited great surprise at what I told her, and asked me many questions relative to my vision in the ladies’ room.

She listened without laughing, and was even astonished at the calmness with which I had undergone this strange adventure.

“I see,” said she, “that you are very strong-minded.

As to me, I confess, that in your place I would have been afraid.

Before permitting you to make another attempt, swear that you will be no more affected or frightened by it than the first time.

” “I think I can promise that,” I replied.

“I feel excessively calm, and should I witness any terrifying spectacle, I trust that I shall remain master of myself sufficiently to attribute it solely to my imagination.

” “Do you wish to make this extraordinary invocation to-night, then?

” “Perhaps; but I would prefer first to read all the reports concerning it, and I would also like to glance over some work on this subject, not any derogatory _critique_, my doubts are sufficiently established, but one of those ancient, simple treatises where among many absurdities, I may chance to discover some ingenious ideas.

” “Very well, you are right,” said she, “but I do not know what work to recommend.

I have never dipped into these old books; if you would like, to-morrow, to look over the library”——.

“If you will permit me, I will set about this task at once.

It is only eleven o’clock, this is the time that your house subsides into silence.

I will sit up in the library, and if my imagination becomes slightly excited, I will then be in a fit frame of mind to return to my room so that I may offer to the three ladies the commemorative supper which possesses the virtue of attracting them hither.

” “I will order the famous tray to be taken there then,” said Madame d’Ionis, smilingly, “and I am forcing myself to look only on the strange side of this affair, not to be too much impressed by it.

” “What, madame, you too!

” “Eh, _mon Dieu_,” she exclaimed, “after all, what do we know about it?

We ridicule everything nowadays; are we any the wiser for it than formerly?

We are weak creatures, who think ourselves strong; who knows if we do not thus render ourselves more material than God desired, and if what we take for lucidity of vision is not really blindness.

Like myself, you believe in the immortality of the soul.

Is an absolute separation between our own and those freed from matter so clear a thing to conceive that we can prove it?

” She talked in this fashion for several minutes with a great deal of intelligence and imagination; then left me, a little disturbed, begging me in case I should become nervous or beset by lugubrious ideas, to abandon my project.

I was so happy and so touched by her solicitude, that I expressed my regret at not having a little fear to overcome so that I might better prove my zeal.

I went up stairs to my room, where Zéphyrine had already arranged the basket; Baptiste wanted to take it away.

“Leave it,” said I, “since it is the custom of the house, and go to bed, I have no more need of you than I have ever had.

” “_Mon Dieu_, monsieur,” said he, “if you will permit me, I will pass the night on an easy chair in your room.

” “And why, my friend?

” “Because I have heard there were ghosts here.

Yes, yes, sir, I understand the servants now, they are very much afraid of these ghosts, and I who am an old soldier, I would like to show them that I am not so foolish as they are.

” I refused, however, and left him to arrange the bed, while I went down to the library, after having told him not to wait for me.

I wandered through the immense hall before beginning my work, and locked myself in carefully, lest I should be disturbed by some prying or mischievous valet.

I then lighted a silver candelabra with numerous branches and began to turn over the leaves of the fantastical pamphlet relative to the green ladies.

The frequent apparition of the d’Ionis demoiselles observed and reported in detail coincided in every particular with what I had seen and with what the abbé had recounted to me.

But then neither he nor I had possessed sufficient faith, or courage to question the phantoms.

Others had done so, according to the chroniclers, and it had been reserved for them to see the three maidens, no longer as greenish clouds, but in all the brilliancy of their youth and beauty, not all of them at once, but one in particular, while the others remained in the background.

Then this funereal beauty answered all _serious_ and _decent_ questions that might be asked of her.

She unveiled the secrets of the past, of the present, and of the future.

She gave judicious advice.

She informed those who were capable of making a good use of them where treasures lay concealed.

She foretold disasters that might be averted, mistakes to be repaired.

She spoke in the name of God and of the angels.

She was a beneficent power to those who consulted her with good and pious designs, but she invariably reproved and threatened mockers, libertines and impious people.

According to the manuscript, they had been known to inflict severe punishment upon those whose intentions were wicked or fraudulent, and those who were only influenced by malice or idle curiosity might expect fearful things to befall them, such as they would have bitter cause to regret.

Without particularizing these fearful things, the manuscript furnished the formula of invocation and all the rules to be observed, with so much seriousness and such naïve good faith that I yielded myself to its influence.

The apparition assumed such marvelous colors in imagination as to beguile me rather to desire than to fear it.

I did not feel in the least depressed or alarmed at the idea of seeing the dead walk or of hearing them speak; on the contrary, I revelled in elysian dreams, and beheld a Beatrix arise in the rays of my empyrean.

“And why should these dreams be denied me,” I exclaimed, mentally, “since the prologue of the vision has already been vouchsafed me?

My foolish fears have hitherto rendered me unworthy and incapable of believing in Swedenborgian revelations, such as superior minds credit and which I have mistakenly ridiculed.

But now I will gladly renounce these old illusions, and such sentiments will surely be more healthful and agreeable to the soul of a poet than the cold denial of our age.

If I pass for a madman, should I even become one, what matters it; I will have lived in an ideal sphere, and will, perhaps, be happier than all the sages of the earth combined.

” Thus I communed with myself, resting my head on my hands.

It was about two o’clock in the morning and the most profound silence reigned throughout the castle and the surrounding country, when a sound of delicate and exquisite music, which seemed to proceed from the rotunda snatched me from my revery.

I raised my head and pushed back the candlestick, so that I could see to whom I was indebted for this serenade, but the four candles which lighted my writing-table thoroughly, were not sufficient for me to distinguish objects at the end of the hall even, still less the rotunda beyond.

I proceeded at once towards this rotunda and being no longer dazzled by another light, I could distinguish the upper portion of the beautiful group in the fountain, fully illuminated by the moon, whose rays penetrated the arched window of the cupola.

The rest of the circular hall was in shadow.

In order to assure myself that I was as much alone as I appeared to be, I drew back the bolt of the large glass door which opened on the parterre, and saw in fact that no one was there.

The music had seemed to diminish and fade away in proportion to my approach, so that I now could scarcely hear it.

I passed into the other gallery, and found it also deserted, but here the sounds which had so charmed me could once more be heard distinctly, and this time they seemed to proceed from the rear.

I paused without turning around, to listen to them; they were sweet and plaintive and formed a melodious combination beyond my comprehension.

It was rather a succession of vague and mysterious chords, struck as if by chance and executed by instruments that I could not divine, for their tones resembled nothing that I had ever heard.

The effect although pleasing was exceedingly melancholy.

I retraced my steps and convinced myself that these voices, if voices they could be called, issued decidedly from the shell of the tritons and nymphs of the fountain, increasing and diminishing in intensity as the water which now flowed in an irregular and intermittent manner, increased or decreased in the basins.

I saw nothing fantastical in this for I remembered having heard of those Italian jets, which produced hydraulic organs of a more or less successful nature, through means of air compressed by water.

These sounds were sweet and very true, perhaps because they attempted no air and only sighed forth harmonious chords somewhat after the manner of eolian harps.

I also remembered that Madame d’Ionis had spoken to me of this music, telling me that it was out of order, and that sometimes it played by itself for several minutes.

This solution did not prevent me from pursuing the course of my poetical reveries.

I was grateful to this capricious fountain who reserved its music for me alone, on such a beautiful night and amid so religious a silence.

Seen thus by the light of the moon, the effect was startling, a shower of green diamonds appeared to be descending upon the fresh ferns that were planted around the border.

There was something appalling in the appearance of the tritons, immovable in the midst of all this tumult, and their dying murmurs, mingled with the subdued sound of the cascades, made them seem as if in despair that their passionate souls should be chained in bodies of marble.

One would have thought it a scene from Pagan life that had been suddenly petrified by the sovereign touch of the naiad.

I then remembered the species of fear that this nymph had caused me in broad daylight, with her air of proud repose in the midst of these monsters writhing beneath her feet.

Can an unemotional soul express true beauty?

thought I, and should this creature of marble awake to life, despite her magnificence would she not terrify one, by that air of supreme indifference which renders her so superior to the beings of our race?

I regarded her attentively in the light of the moonbeams which bathed her white shoulders and revealed her small head set upon a firm and slender neck as upon a column.

I could not distinguish her features, as she was at too great a height; but her easy attitude was defined in brilliant lines with an incomparable grace.

This is truly, thought I, the idea I would fain picture to myself of the green lady, for surely, seen thus....

Suddenly I ceased to reason or reflect.

It seemed to me that I saw the statue move.

I thought that a cloud was passing over the moon and had produced the illusion; but there was none.

Only, it was not the statue that moved, it was a form that arose from behind or beside her, and which seemed exactly like her, as if an animate reflection had detached itself from this body of marble and had quitted it to approach me.

For a moment I doubted the evidence of my senses, but it became so distinct, so positive, that I was soon convinced that I beheld a real being, and that I experienced no feeling of terror, nor even any very great surprise.

The living image of the naiad descended the irregular steps of the monument with a flying motion; her movements were easy and ideally graceful.

She was not much taller than a real woman, although the elegance of her proportions imparted a stamp of exceptional beauty, which had intimidated me in the statue; but I no longer experienced aught of this feeling, and my admiration rose to ecstasy.

I stretched out my arms to seize her, for it seemed as if she were about to rush towards me leaping over a height of from five to six feet which still separated us.

I was mistaken.

She stopped on the edge of the rock and made me a sign to move back.

I obeyed mechanically and saw her seat herself upon a marble dolphin, which at once began to roar in a genuine fashion; then suddenly all these hydraulic voices increased like a tempest and formed a truly diabolical concert around her.

I began to be somewhat unnerved when a ghostly greenish light, which seemed but a more brilliant moonbeam burst from I knew not where, distinctly revealing the features of the living naiad, so like those of the statue that I had to look twice in order to assure myself that it had not quitted its rocky chair of state.

Then, no longer seeking to unravel this mystery without any desire to comprehend it, I became dumbly intoxicated with the supernatural beauty of this apparition.

The effect that it produced upon me was so absolute, that I never even thought of approaching it, in order to assure myself of its immateriality, as I had done before when it had appeared in my room.

And had I entertained such an idea, which I am altogether unconscious of doing, the fear of causing it to vanish by an audacious curiosity probably withheld me.

How did it happen that I was not overcome by the desire of verifying the evidence of my senses?

’Twas in truth the influence of the sublime naiad, with clear and living eyes, beaming with a fascinating sweetness, the naiad, with undraped arms, contours of transparent flesh and supple motions resembling those of childhood.

This daughter of Heaven seemed at the utmost about fifteen years old.

The ensemble of her figure expressed the perfect chastity of youth, while the charm of a mature womanly soul illuminated her features.

Her peculiar attire was precisely that of the naiad; a robe or floating tunic, made of some indescribable and marvellous tissue whose soft folds seemed wet and clinging; an exquisitely wrought diadem, and showers of pearls were entwined in her magnificent hair, with that mixture of peculiar luxury and happy caprice which characterizes the taste of the renaissance; in singular and charming contrast to the altogether simple garment, and which evinced its richness only in the easy grace of its arrangement and the minute finish of the jewels, and delicate details of the coiffure.

I could have gone on looking at her all my life, without dreaming of addressing her.

I did not observe the silence that had succeeded to the roar of the fountain, I do not even know whether I stood gazing at her for a moment or for an hour.

It seemed to me of a sudden—as if I had always seen her, always known her—it was, perhaps, because I was living a century in a moment’s space.

She was the first to speak.

I heard but could not understand all at once, for the silvery tones of her voice, like her supernatural beauty, served to complete the illusion.

I listened as if to music, without seeking to attach any particular sense to her words.

At last I made an effort to shake off this stupor and heard her ask if I could see her.

I know not what I answered, for she added: “Under what guise dost thou behold me?

” It was only then that I remarked she addressed me as “thou.

” I felt myself drawn to reply in the same fashion, for if she spoke to me _en reine_, I addressed her as a divinity.

“I see thee,” I replied, “as a being to whom naught upon this earth can compare.

” It seemed to me that she blushed, for my eyes were becoming accustomed to the sea-green light which inundated her figure.

I beheld her, white as a lily, with the fresh tint of youth upon her cheek, a melancholy smile added to her charms.

“What do you see extraordinary in me?

” said she.

“Beauty,” I replied, briefly.

I was too much moved to add more.

“My beauty,” answered she, “is an effect of the imagination; for it does not exist in a form that thou canst appreciate.

All that is here of me is my mind.

Address me then as a soul and not as a woman.

About what did you wish me to advise you?

” “I no longer remember.

” “And the cause of this forgetfulness?

” “Is thy presence.

” “Try to remember.

” “No, I do not wish to.

” “Then, adieu!

” “No, no,” I exclaimed, approaching her, as if to retain her, but I stopped short—terrified, for the light suddenly paled and the apparition seemed fading away.

“In the name of heaven, remain!

” I went on, with anguish.

“I am submissive, my love for you is chaste.

” “What love?

” she asked, reassuming her brilliancy.

“What love?

I know not.

Did I speak of love?

Oh, yes, I remember now.

Yesterday I loved a woman and I wished to please her, to work her will at the risk of betraying my duty.

If you are a pure essence, as I believe, you know everything.

Must I then explain?

” “No, I know the facts that concern the posterity of the family whose name I bear.

” “But I am no divinity, I cannot read souls, I did not know that thou lovedst.

” “I love no one.

At this moment I love nothing upon earth, and I would like to die if in another state of existence I could follow you.

” “Thou talkest wildly.

To be happy after death, it is necessary to have led a pure life.

Thou hast a difficult duty to fulfill, and it is for this that thou hast summoned me.

Perform thy duty then or thou wilt never see me more.

” “What is this duty?

Speak, henceforth I will obey none but thee.

” “This duty,” answered the naiad, leaning towards me and speaking so low that I could with difficulty distinguish her voice from the fresh murmur of the waters, “is to obey thy father.

And, afterwards, thou shalt tell the generous woman who wishes to sacrifice herself, that those whom she pities will always bless her, but will never accept her sacrifice.

I

know their thoughts, for they have summoned and consulted me.

I know that they are fighting for their honor, but that they do not fear what men call poverty.

For proud souls there is no such thing as poverty.

Say this to the lady who will question thee to-morrow, and yield not to the love that she inspires so far as to make thee betray the religion of thy family.

” “I will obey, I swear.

And, now reveal to me the secrets of eternal life.

Where is your soul now?

What different qualities has it acquired in this removal?

” “All that I can say is this: death does not exist—nothing dies; but things in the outer world are very different from what one imagines here.

I will tell thee no more.

Do not question me.

” “Say at least if I shall see you in this other life.

” “I know not.

” “And in this?

” “Yes, shouldst thou prove worthy.

” “I will prove worthy.

But tell me this much, since you can direct and counsel those who live in this world, can you not pity them?

” “I can.

” “And love them?

” “I love them all as brothers with whom I have lived.

” “Love one then above the others.

He will perform miracles of courage and virtue if you will but interest yourself in him.

” “Let him perform these miracles and he will find me in his thoughts.

Adieu!

” “Wait one moment!

O heaven!

One moment!

It is said that you bestow a charmed ring upon those who have not offended you, as a pledge of your protection and as a means of evoking you.

Is this true?

And wilt you give it to me?

” “Vulgar minds alone believe in magic.

Thou couldst never put faith therein, thou who speakest of eternal life and who seekest divine truth.

By what means could a soul that communicates with thee without the aid of real organs bestow upon thee a material and palpable object?

” “Still I see a sparkling ring on your finger.

” “I cannot perceive what thine eyes behold.

What kind of a ring dost thou see?

” “A large circle with an emerald in the form of a star, set in gold.

” “It is strange thou shouldst see that,” said she, after a moment’s silence.

“The involuntary workings of the human mind and the connection of its dreams with certain past deeds, perchance, include providential mysteries.

The science of these inexplicable things belongs only to the One who knows the cause and the reason for everything.

The hand that thou thinkest thou dost behold exists only in thine imagination.

What is left of me in the tomb would fill thee with horror; but it may be that thou seest me such as I was on earth.

Tell me how I appear to thee?

” I know not what enthusiastic picture I drew of her.

She seemed to listen with attention and said: “If I resemble this statue, that should not surprise thee for I acted as its model.

Thus thou bringest back to my mind the memory of what I once was, and even the jewels thou dost describe, I remember having worn.

The ring thou thinkest thou dost see I lost in a room that I occupied in this chateau.

It fell between two stones under the hearth.

I intended to have had the stone raised on the next day, but I died that very day.

Shouldst thou search for it thou mayst perchance find it.

In that case, I give it to thee as a souvenir of me and of the oath thou hast sworn to obey me.

Behold, the day breaks, farewell!

”